Fruit Bats: Super Seed Dispersers Growing African Forests

Fruit bats AKA flying foxes are vital in Africa’s forests as seed dispersers boosting biodiversity. Take action to save these protectors of the rainforest!

Malayan Flying Fox Pteropus vampyrus

The Malayan Flying Fox, known also as the Large Flying Fox, Giant Fruit Bat, or Kalong, is an ethereal creature of the tropical Asian night. With wingspans reaching 1.7 metres, they are the largest bats in the world and glide silently through the darkness, a graceful presence in South East Asia’s moonlit forests. Their foxy almond shaped eyes and expressive faces are framed by glossy black fur and golden and russet collars, lend them a warm and mythical aura, while their immense wings are awe-inspiring to see in flight.

These nocturnal giants are the architects of tropical forests, scattering seeds and pollinating flowers as they journey across vast landscapes. Yet, despite their importance to ecosystems, they are under siege—hunted mercilessly and displaced by forests that vanish due to palm oil. Their story is a call to action: protect the guardians of the night before it is too late. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Bougainville Monkey-faced Bat Pteralopex anceps

In the verdant, high-altitude forests of Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, and Choiseul Island, Solomon Islands, lives an intriguing creature—the Bougainville Monkey-faced bat or, as some call them, the Bougainville Flying Monkey. These bats are the titans of their family, boasting arm spans stretching impressively between 14.1 to 16 cm. They are endangered, mostly from palm oil and mining deforestation and hunting. Help them to survive every time you shop and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Spectacled Flying Fox Pteropus conspicillatus

The Spectacled Flying Fox (Pteropus conspicillatus) is a large, highly mobile fruit #bat native to the tropical rainforests of Australia’s Wet Tropics and Papua New Guinea’s offshore islands including Woodlark Island, Alcester Island, Kiriwina, and Halmahera. Named for the distinctive pale rings around their eyes, they play a crucial role in pollination and seed dispersal across vast forested landscapes. However, their survival is under severe threat due to rampant #palmoil #deforestation in #Papua, along with #climatechange-induced extreme heat events, and human-wildlife conflict. These bats have suffered catastrophic population declines in recent years, underscoring the urgent need for conservation action. In February 2019 the Australian government upgraded their threatened status from vulnerable to endangered, after almost a third of the bat population died in a severe heatwave in Queensland in late 2018. Take action and resist climate change and deforestation-driven #extinction every time you shop—#BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Louisiade Woolly Bat Kerivoula agnella

Louisiade Woolly Bat Kerivoula agnell IUCN Red List Status: Endangered Location: The Louisiade Woolly Bat is endemic to Papua New Guinea, specifically to the islands of the Louisiade Archipelago, including Sudest (Vanatinai) and Tagula. Also known as St. Aignan’s Trumpet-Eared Bat, the Louisiade Woolly Bat is a rare and enigmatic species. Recognised for their soft,Continue reading “Louisiade Woolly Bat Kerivoula agnella”

Thomas’s Big-eared Bat Pharotis imogene

Thomas’s Big-eared #Bat Pharotis imogene, also known as the #NewGuinea Big-eared Bat, is one of the world’s rarest and most elusive #mammals- they are critically endangered by #PapuaNewGuinea. Thought to be #extinct for over a century, they were rediscovered in 2012 in Central Province, Papua New Guinea, in an area heavily impacted by palm oil deforestation, firewood collection, and land clearing for timber, mines and palm oil. Despite their rediscovery, habitat destruction due to palm oil expansion, logging, mining and human encroachment which continues to threaten their survival. Without urgent intervention, they may disappear again—this time, permanently. Help them every time you shop and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Thailand Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros halophyllus

Vulnerable Thailand Leaf-nosed Bats live in limestone caves in Thailand and Malaysia. Threats include mining, palm oil and pesticide use. Take action now!